Skip to main content
A woman getting a chemical peel treatment

The Ultimate Guide To Chemical Peel Aftercare

As a spa professional, you’re aware that chemical peels are effective solutions for improving skin texture, hyperpigmentation and dull skin. But to ensure a Client is getting the best experience and outcome, it’s just as crucial to provide them with an after-treatment plan. Once the peel is complete, here are some key points of advice to share with your Client so that they leave feeling prepared. 

6 Chemical Peel Aftercare Tips

As Eminence Organics Product Support Team Lead Alicia Hawthorne explains, Eminence Organics' facial peels don’t require any downtime or cause irritation. However, as a precaution, you should still advise Clients on taking care of their skin, post-peel. Here are some common skin care tips that you can recommend to Clients for best results.

1. Apply SPF To Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage

To protect your Client’s skin, we would recommend applying a product with SPF 30 or higher to their skin. Alicia recommends our Eminence Organics Tropical Vanilla Day Cream SPF 40 to help hydrate and screen the skin. Formulated with vanilla and shea butter, this SPF 40 all-mineral protection defends and revitalizes the skin. 

It’s important to explain to your Client that applying an SPF product is mandatory after treatment. After a peel treatment, the skin will be more sensitive to the sun, increasing the chances that heat and sun exposure may cause inflammation. In addition to wearing sunscreen, advise your Client to continue applying daily sunscreen for one week, to wear protective clothing and to limit sun exposure. When Clients do go outside, gently suggest that they pack an umbrella, a large-brimmed hat and a pair of sunglasses. 

Note: After application of a chemical peel treatment, skin will be more sensitive to the sun. Application of sunscreens with a high SPF is essential and mandatory after treatment. Advise your Client to use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure after each treatment and for a week afterwards.

2. Avoid Excessive Heat

In the same vein as avoiding excess sun, advise Clients to stay away from environments and activities that promote heat, such as saunas, hot showers and jacuzzis. The same caution goes for excessive exercise for at least two days following a chemical peel. 

3. Don’t Use Exfoliation

Many Clients assume that they can immediately jump back into their regular skin care routine. Since the peel has removed the top layers of the epidermis, it’s important that your Clients break from their usual routines, giving the skin a chance to heal. Exfoliation is the most crucial step to avoid during the post-peel period, since over-exfoliating can lead to redness or sensitivity. 

4. Use A Gentle Cleanser 

After you complete the chemical peel, a gentle cleanser like our Stone Crop Gel Wash is a safe option that simply requires you to lather and rinse with cool or lukewarm water (avoiding the use of hot water). For those with even the most sensitive skin, our Stone Crop Gel Wash washes away impurities without drying out the skin. The oil-free extracts smooth out skin tone and help minimize the appearance of problem skin. For this step, Alicia advises Clients to avoid using washcloths or cleansing devices which may cause irritation.

5. Apply A Hydrating Serum To The Skin

Help your Client’s skin recover by applying a hydrating serum, choosing one with antioxidants for youthful-looking skin and can soothe red, dry skin. For example, our Stone Crop Serum provides hydration and benefits from green tea, while healing dryness. Also warn your Clients that the skin may feel more dry than usual and recommend hydrating self-care products at home to help soften the skin.

6. Apply A Soothing Mist 

It’s a good idea to apply a hydrating mist as a toner after cleansing the Client’s skin. Clients can also apply this mist at home. “This provides a gentle spritz of the skin throughout the day for a mist of hydration or if the skin is feeling tight,” says Alicia. For example, the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist calms and soothes red, dry skin. It's also free of harmful ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, animal by-products, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals and phthalate.

 


Product Picks


A Step-By-Step Chemical Peel & Aftercare Treatment Plan

As Alicia explains, chemical peels are very effective in treating the appearance of uneven skin tone and texture. Equally as important is the aftercare plan. Here is an example of the Mangosteen Gentle Resurfacing And Replenishing Protocol that involves applying the very popular Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10% as well as the products to apply afterwards. 

Step 1: Cleansing

Before applying the lactic acid peel, gently cleanse the Client’s skin. Use the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser, which is suitable for all skin types. For gentle buffing action, you can combine the cleanser with Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant.

Step 2: Toning 

Apply the Mangosteen Revitalizing Mist and leave it on. Mangosteen is an antioxidant-rich super fruit that helps the appearance of skin and minimizes the look of environmental stress, all while promoting natural radiance. The inclusion of red clover flower extract works to refine and improve skin tone.

Step 3: Exfoliation

When exfoliating, a preliminary patch test is advised before a general application is made: Cleanse skin behind the ear, apply the product and leave it undisturbed for 10 minutes. If no unnatural reaction occurs, apply the product as directed. Product should only contact the skin for limited frequency or duration.

For all skin types, including sensitive skin, apply a thin layer of the Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10% to the face and leave on for 10 minutes maximum. Steaming is possible while the peel is on. Remove with a warm, wet towel.

For added stimulation, best for non-sensitive skin, apply a thin layer of the Lime Stimulating Masque mixed 1:1 with water on top of the Mangosteen Lactic Pro Peel 10%, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for five to 10 minutes and remove with a warm, wet towel.

An add-on service to consider is to provide your Client with an arm massage using the Mangosteen Body Lotion. This body lotion contains a Lactic Acid Complex (lactic acid, ribose, and red clover flower extract). This proprietary blend of active ingredients gently resurfaces skin and refines pores for a more luminous, even, and youthful looking complexion.

Step 4: Mask

After extractions, apply a facial mask in a facial massage or as a leave-on mask. For oily and combination skin types, we recommend applying the Acne Advanced Clarifying Masque. It contains three types of clay to gently exfoliate and assist with excess oil. 

For a fruity aroma, another mask suitable for all skin types is the Raspberry Pore Refining Masque. This antioxidant skin mask provides the appearance of a smooth, refined complexion. Alternatively, If your Client has a normal to dry skin type, choose the Bamboo Age Corrective Masque. Containing a Natural Retinol Alternative, this mask gives the skin a lifted and tightened appearance.

Step 5: Massage

For a full body treatment, apply the deeply moisturizing Apricot Body Oil. Dispense an appropriate amount of oil for massage and warm in hands prior to application. This hydrating formulation contains grape seed oil, apricot kernal oil and jojoba oil.

Step 6: Essence

For this step, gently press a few drops of the Birch Water Purifying Essence into the skin until fully absorbed. This is an essential step that helps the skin better absorb and retain the benefits of subsequent products.

Step 7: Serum/Concentrate

Apply the Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Concentrate and leave on. This concentrate resurfaces and refine pores to refresh the skin’s natural appearance. The mangosteen in this leave-on concentrate promotes radiance while the Lactic Acid Complex removes and prevents buildup. Follow with the Bamboo Firming Fluid for additional hydration and improvements to the visible signs of aging. 

Step 8: Moisturizer

Apply the Mangosteen Gel Moisturizer to the face, neck and décolletage. Gently massage until absorbed. For additional moisture, press in one to two drops of the Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil over the top and leave on. 

Step 9: Eye Care

To depuff and smooth the delicate undereye area, apply a thin layer of the Neroli Age Corrective Eye Serum to the eye area using light blending motions until absorbed. Next, apply a thin layer of the Hibiscus Ultra Eye Lift Cream and leave on.

Step 10: Sun Defense

For all skin types, apply a Sun Defense Minerals SPF 30 to finish and protect your Client’s skin. To complete this treatment, Alicia also recommends using the Tropical Vanilla Day Cream SPF 40 formulated with vanilla, shea butter and SPF 40 all-mineral protection to protect skin from the sun. 

Learn more about a chemical peel treatment aftercare plan in this In The Mix with Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar. .

If you’d like to review all the treatment protocols you can offer Clients, log into your Professional Account and visit the Eminence Organics Treatment Protocol Page. Not a Spa Partner yet? Find out more about how you can apply to become a partner and how we can support your business. 

Please note: For all Eminence Organics protocols, always follow the guidance of your Eminence Organics Training Specialist.


Product Picks